A defiant captain’s century by Daniel Vettori and a maiden ton for Jesse Ryder rescued New Zealand on the opening day of the first Test on Wednesday, but India finished on top.
The home side were dismissed for 279 on a batsman-friendly wicket and at stumps the tourists had reached 29 without loss off seven overs, with the explosive Virender Sehwag not out 22 and fellow opener Gautam Gambhir on 6.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl, gambling on his bowlers capitalizing on the overcast conditions and a green-tinged wicket.
PHOTO: AFP
His choice paid off, with New Zealand in dire straits at 60 for six just before lunch, when Vettori joined Ryder in the middle to begin the fightback.
The pair produced a record-breaking 186-run partnership to take the score to 246 and New Zealand added just 33 more runs before they were all out.
The skipper’s 118 was his third century in 90 Tests, while Ryder’s 102 was his maiden ton in his seventh Test.
Vettori brought up the New Zealand 100, hooking Zaheer Khan for six, and in the first hour after tea the home side raced along at more than five an over, with the skipper belting Sehwag over the ropes.
Vettori’s immense effort came to an end when Dhoni moved smartly to take an inside edge off Munaf Patel.
The 164-ball innings produced two sixes and 14 fours.
Kyle Mills was yorked by Patel first ball, while Iain O’Brien avoided the hat-trick and reached 8 before he was stumped by Dhoni off Harbhajan.
His departure, with Ryder on 98, brought out Chris Martin, who is recognized as one of the worst Test batsmen in the world.
The look of consternation on Ryder’s face was evident as Martin prodded at the five remaining balls in Harbhajan’s over.
Ryder then made sure of his ton, hitting Ishant Sharma to the boundary and was out caught by V.V.S. Laxman off the next ball.
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